DRAFT OF THE PROPOSED STANDARD

Solar Energy Collector components and materials

Part 2: Heat-pipe for evacuated tubes Durability and
performance

Contents
Forward
Introduction
1

Scope

Normative references

Terms and definitions

4
Durability
4.1
Resistance to high temperature
4.1.1 Objective
4.1.2 Apparatus and procedure
4.1.3 Results
4.2
Resistance to freeze
4.2.1 Objective
4.2.2 Apparatus and procedure
4.2.3 Results
5
5.1
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3
5.1.4
5.1.5
5.2
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
5.2.5
5.3
5.3.1
5.3.2
5.3.3
5.3.4
5.3.5

Performance
Start-up temperature of heat-pipe
Principle
Test conditions
Apparatus
Procedure
Results
Temperature difference of heat-pipe
Principle
Test conditions
Apparatus
Procedure
Results
Maximum heat transfer flux of heat-pipe
Principle
Test conditions
Apparatus
Procedure
Results

Annex A (Normative) Configuration scheme of heat-pipe for evacuated tubes

Annex B (Normative) Test report on heat-pipe for evacuated tubes
B.1
General
2

B.2
B.3
B.3.1
B.3.2
B.4
B.4.1
B.4.2
B.4.3

Description of heat-pipe for evacuated tubes

Durability
High temperature resistance
Freeze resistance
Performance
Starting temperature
Temperature difference
Maximum heat transfer flux

Bibliography

Forward
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of
national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International
Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committee. Each member body
interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right
to be represented on the committee. International organization, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical
standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committee are circulated to the
member bodies for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at
least 75% of the member bodies casting a vote.
This International Standard ISO XXXX-2 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC
180, Solar Energy, Working Group WG 3, Collector components and materials.
ISO XXXX consists of the following parts, under general title Solar Energy Collector
components and materials:
Part 1: Evacuated tubes durability and performance
Part 2: Heat-pipe for evacuated tubes Durability and performance
Part 3: Absorber surface durability
Part 4: Glazing material durability and performance (to be considered)
Part 5: Insulation material durability and performance (to be considered)

Introduction
This International Standard ISO XXXX-2 specifies test methods for durability and
performance of heat-pipe for evacuated tubes.
This standard is applicable to all functions of heat-pipes.
The heat-pipe could be used for glass-metal sealed evacuated tubes, in which a metal
absorber sheet with selective coating is tightly connected with the heat-pipe and is sealed
into the envelope glass tube through a specific glass-metal sealing process.
The heat-pipe also could be used for double-glass evacuated tubes, in which a metal
sheet without selective coating is tightly connected with the heat-pipe and is inserted into
inner glass tube.
This standard provides test methods for determining durability of heat-pipe, including high
temperature resistance and freeze resistance. For each durability test, objective,
apparatus, procedure and results of the test are specified.
This standard also provides test methods for measuring performance of heat-pipe,
including starting temperature and maximum heat transfer flux of heat-pipe. For each
performance test, principle, test conditions, apparatus, procedure and results of the test
are specified.
For all the tests specified in this standard, a completed heat-pipe is required.

Solar Energy Collector components and materials

Part 2: Heat-pipe for evacuated tubesDurability and performance

Scope

This International Standard specifies definitions and test methods for durability and
performance of heat-pipe for evacuated tubes.
This standard is applicable to all usages of heat-pipes for evacuated tubes, including
glass-metal sealed evacuated tubes and double-glass evacuated tubes.
This standard is only applicable to gravity heat-pipe.
2

Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this standard.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest
edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1000 SI units and recommendations for the use of their multiples and of certain other
units
ISO 9806-1: 1994 Test methods for solar collectors Part 1: Thermal performance of
glazed liquid heating collectors including pressure drop
ISO 9488: 1999
3

Solar energy vocabulary

Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this International Standard, the terms and definitions given in
ISO 9488 and the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
heat-pipe
Enhanced heat transfer element, utilizing latent heat of vaporization for efficient heat
transfer.
3.2
gravity heat-pipe
Heat-pipe without a capillary wick inside, in which the liquefied working fluid returns from
condenser to evaporator by its gravity.
3.3
evaporator
Part of a heat-pipe, where the liquefied working fluid absorbs heat, vaporizes and
6

becomes the vaporized working fluid.

3.4
condenser
Part of a heat-pipe, where the vaporized working fluid releases heat and transfers it to the
heated medium by condensation.
3.5
Adiabatic section
Part of a heat-pipe, where evaporator and condenser do not make heat exchange with
environment.
3.6
working fluid
Medium used for heat transfer in a heat-pipe.
4
4.1
4.1.1

Durability
High temperature resistance of heat-pipe
Objective

This test is intended to assess the capability of a heat-pipe to withstand such high
temperature without a failure.
4.1.2

Apparatus and procedure

Test apparatus mainly consists of a heating chamber and a thermometric system.

Temperature measuring shall use a digital thermometer. Accuracy of temperature
measurement shall be 0.5.
Calculagraph shall use a digital clock, and its uncertainty shall not be more than 1min/d.
Test shall meet following conditions:
Test environment: indoors;
Test temperature in chamber: 2305;
Ambient temperature: 1535.
Put all the tested heat-pipes into the heating chamber, and then the heating system heats
them slowly up to the test temperature, maintaining the test temperature for 2 h.
4.1.3

Results

Product is qualified as the heat-pipe is not damaged. leakage, breakage, distortion and
deformation.

4.2
4.2.1

Resistance to freeze
Objective

This test is intended to assess the extent to which a heat-pipe, which is claimed to be
freeze resistance, can withstand freezing.
4.2.2

Apparatus and procedure

Put all the test heat-pipes into a freezer at temperature not higher than -25 at a tilt angle
of larger than 30 for 1h.
Take them out and put them into hot water at temperature not lower than 60 in the depth
not less than 200mm, waiting for the heat-pipe to start working for 5min, and then put them
again into the freezer at temperature not higher than -25.
Repeat this procedure for 10 times.
4.2.3

Results

Product is qualified as the heat-pipe is not damaged.

5

Performance

5.1

Start-up temperature of heat-pipe

5.1.1

Principle

This test is intended to determine the minimum temperature required for starting a
heat-pipe.
5.1.2

Test conditions

Test shall be conducted indoors; the indoor ambient temperature shall be at 201.
5.1.3

Apparatus

A thermostatic water bath is used for the test. Temperature of the thermostatic water bath
shall be 300.5.
Measuring instruments shall meet the following requirements:
Mercurial thermometer, uncertainty shall not be more than 0.5;
Pt resistance temperature controller, uncertainty shall not be more than 0.5;
Digital surface thermometer, uncertainty shall not be more than (1%+1);
Digital clock, uncertainty shall not be more than 1min/d.
5.1.4

Procedure

The heat-pipes shall be vertically inserted into the water of thermostatic water bath, the
depth into the water shall be 1/6 total length of the heat-pipe.
Record the temperature on the heat-pipe condenser ( Tq ) after heat-pipes are inserted into
8

the water.
The measuring point shall be at 18mm22mm from top of the condenser.
5.1.5

Results

The start-up temperature of the heat-pipe shall not be higher than 30.
When heat source temperature is at 300.5, condenser temperature of the heat-pipe
shall not be lower than 23 within 20min.
5.2
5.2.1

Temperature difference of heat-pipe

Principle

This test is intended to determine the temperature difference between the condenser and
the evaporator when a heat-pipe operates in normal conditions.
5.2.3

Apparatus

A thermostatic water bath is used for the test. Temperature of the thermostatic water bath
shall be 900.5.
Measuring instruments shall meet the following requirements:
Mercurial thermometer, uncertainty shall not be more than 0.5;
Pt resistance temperature controller, uncertainty shall not be more than 0.5;
Digital surface thermometer, uncertainty shall not be more than (1%+1);
Ddigital clock, uncertainty shall not be more than 1min/d.
5.2.4

Procedure

The heat-pipes shall be inserted into the water of thermostatic water bath , the depth into
the water shall be 2/33/5 total length of the heat-pipe.
Record the temperature on the heat-pipe condenser temperature ( Tq ) after heat-pipes are
inserted into the water.
The measuring point shall be at 18mm22mm from top of the condenser.
5.2.5

Results

When heat source temperature is at 900.5, temperature difference between the

condenser and the thermostatic water bath shall not be more than 12 within 60s.
5.3
5.3.1

Maximum heat transfer flux of heat-pipe

Principle

This test is intended to determine the maximum heat transfer flux of a heat-pipe when it
can operate normally and stably.
The maximum heat transfer flux of a heat-pipe can be calculated according to Equation
(1).
9

Qmax = Q1 Q2

(1)

Where
Qmax maximum heat transfer flux, W;
Q1 heat flux which cooling medium gets, W;
Q2 heat flux which environment leaks to cooling water jacket or apparatusW; to
be negligible generally.
The heat flux, which cooling medium gets, can be calculated according to Equation (2).

Q1 = Mc p (t 2 t1 )
Where
M
cp
t1
t2

mass flow rate of cooling medium, kg/s;

specific heat of cooling medium, J/(kg);
inlet temperature of cooling medium, ;
outlet temperature of cooling medium, .

5.3.2

Test conditions

(2)

Test conditions shall meet the following requirements:

Test environment: indoors
Ambient temperature: 25~35
Relative humidity: not higher than 80%
Atmospheric pressure at local.
5.3.3

Apparatus

Test apparatus mainly consists of heat-pipe mounting support, constant temperature and
pressure water source, water jacket (or shower pipe, cooling plate), flowmeter, power
regulator and thermometric system. Fluctuations of cooling water inlet temperature shall
not be more than 1/h. Heat-pipe mounting support may have function of incline,
adjusting accuracy shall meet the requirement of test.
Instrument for measuring heating electric power may be an amperemeter, voltmeter or
power meter, precision class shall not be lower than 0.5;
Temperature measuring shall use a digital thermometer. Temperature measuring
resolution is generally better than 0.1, uncertainty shall be 0.2;
Flow rate measuring for water or other cooling medium may use a flowmeter or a
weighing method, and flow rate measuring precision is generally better than 5%;
Calculagraph shall use a digital clock, uncertainty shall not be more than 1min/d.
5.3.4

Procedure

10

5.3.4.1

Test state

During test, the heat-pipe shall be vertical or inclined, the evaporator shall be lower, the
condenser shall be upper; when the heat-pipe is inclined, and tilt angle shall be according
to product characteristics and use requirements.
5.3.4.2

Evaporator heating method

In test, the evaporator is generally heated by electric power, and heating shall be evenly.
5.3.4.3

Condenser cooling method

Condenser is cooled by water, and cooling shall be evenly.

5.3.4.4

Operating temperature adjustment

According to the product technical specifications, determine the operating temperature

in the test;
Adjust the heat-pipe operating temperature in the test by changing flow rate and
cooling medium temperature.
5.3.4.5

Determine the maximum heat transfer flux

In the set test stateincrease heating power gradually, when evaporator appears local
temperature marked increase or temperature appears clear shock and unstable, it deems
that the heat-pipe has reached heat transfer limit in the test state and at the operating
temperature. The heat flux, which cooling medium gets before this phenomenon, is the
maximum heat transfer flux of the heat-pipe in the test state and operating temperature.
5.3.5

Results

Calculate the maximum heat transfer flux of the heat-pipe according to Equation (1) and
(2).
Product is qualified as the maximum heat transfer flux of the heat-pipe meets requirement
specified in Table 1.
Table 1 Maximum heat transfer flux of heat-pipe
Diameter of heat-pipe evaporator /mm

Heat transfer flux /W

120

10

180

12

260

11

Annex A
(Normative)
Configuration scheme of heat-pipe for evacuated tubes

1 working fluid
2 shell (container)
3 evaporator
4 condenser
5 adiabatic section
D diameter of condenser
D1 diameter of evaporator
wall thickness of condenser
1 wall thickness of evaporator
L total length of heat-pipe
L1 effective length of condenser
Figure A.1

Configuration scheme of heat-pipe for evacuated tubes

12

Annex B
(Normative)
Test report on heat-pipe for evacuated tubes
B.1

General

Heat-pipe reference No: ..

Test performed by:
Address: .
Date, Tel, Fax: ...
B.2

Description of heat-pipe for evacuated tubes

Name of manufacturer:
Name of brand: .
Serial No: ...
Drawing document No:
Year of production:
Heat-pipe for evacuated tubes:
Type name:
Total length of heat-pipe: ..mm
Effective length of condenser: .mm
Diameter of condenser: .mm
Diameter of evaporator: .mm
Wall thickness of condenser: mm
Wall thickness of evaporator: mm
Shell material:
Working fluid: .
Configuration scheme of heat-pipe: ...
Photograph of heat-pipe: .
Maximum operating temperature: ..
B.3
B.3.1

Durability test
Summary of main results for durability test

All significant damage to the heat-pipe should be summarized in Table B.1. Full details
13

should be given in the individual test result sheet.

Table B.1
Date

Test
Start

Summary of main test results

End

High temperature resistance

Freeze resistance

Remarks:
..
B.3.1

High temperature resistance

After high temperature resistance test specified in 4.1.2, the heat-pipe shall be inspected
for damage.
Test conditions:
Test environment: indoors
Test temperature in chamber: .
Indoor ambient temperature: ...
Test duration: ...min
Test results:
Give details of leakage, breakage, distortion or deformation and any of the failures.
..
..
B.3.2

Freeze resistance

After freeze resistance test specified in 4.2.2, the heat-pipe should be inspected for
damage.
Test conditions:
Test environment: indoors
Freezer temperature: .
Hot water temperature: ..
Tilt angle of heat-pipe: .
Inserted depth in hot water: mm
Quantity of heat-pipe at once: ..
Test results are given in Table B.2.
14

Table B.2
Freeze conditions

No of freeze-thaw
cycles

Thaw conditions

Test temperature

Duration

Test temperature

Duration

()

(min)

()

(min)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Test results:
Give details of leakage, breakage, distortion or deformation and any of the failures.
..
..
B.4

Performance

B.4.1

Start-up temperature

When heat source temperature is at 300.5, measure the condenser temperature of

heat-pipe.
Heat-pipe:
Length of heat-pipe: ..mm
Insert depth of heat-pipe: .mm
Measuring point from top of condenser: mm
Test conditions:
Test environment: indoors
Indoor ambient temperature: ..
Thermostatic water bath temperature: ...
Test duration: ..min

15

Test results are given in Table B.3.

Table B.3
Measuring time

Heat source temperature

Condenser temperature

(min)

()

()

o
5
10
15
20

B.4.2

Temperature difference

When heat source temperature is at 900.5, measure the temperature difference

between condenser and thermostatic water bath.
Heat-pipe:
Length of heat-pipe: ..mm
Insert depth of heat-pipe: .mm
Measuring point from top of condenser: mm
Test conditions:
Test environment: indoors
Indoor ambient temperature: ..
Thermostatic water bath temperature: ...
Test duration: ..min
Test results are given in Table B.4.
Table B.4
Time

Heat source temperature

Condenser temperature

Temperature difference

(s)

()

()

()

o
10
20
30
40
50
60
16

B.4.3

Maximum heat transfer flux

As soon as the heat-pipe reaches its heat transfer limit, measure the heat flux, which
cooling medium gets, and calculate the maximum heat transfer flux according to Equation
(1) and (2).
Heat-pipe:
Diameter of heat-pipe evaporator: ...mm
Test conditions:
Test environment: indoors
Indoor ambient temperature: ..
Relative humidity: ..%
Atmospheric pressure at local: .kPa
Test results are given in Table B.5.
Table B.5
Time

Electric heating power

(min)

(W)

Cooling medium
Mass flow rate

Inlet temp.

Outlet temp.

(kg/s)

t1 ()

t2()

Maximum heat transfer flux (Q) is calculated as follows:

Q = Q1 = Mc p (t 2 t1 ) =

17

Bibliography
[1] GB/T 24767 - 2009

The gravity heat-pipe for solar application

18